Should I apply this round?

[lcchampion]

I am about to start my senior year at the University of Alabama. I am an Exercise and Sport Science major with a minor in psychology. I was pre-physical therapy but changed to pre-PA this spring. I am debating if I should apply this round

 

Overall GPA: 3.6

Science GPA: 3.0

GRE: 305, Writing-3.0

 

I have acquired 200+ HCE though internships with athletic trainers and physical therapists. I plan on working as a rehab aide starting in August and taking a course to get my CNA in December.

 

I am from Tennessee and hope to attend a school there.

 

Should I apply? What else should I do to strengthen my chances?

[woodlingj]

If I were you, I would wait until at least next year, if not another year after that. You'll have to look at the exact schools you want to apply to but many schools have a 3.0 cutoff for GPA and your science GPA is at exactly that. Keep in mind that this is merely the cutoff and while it isn't impossible to get in with that GPA, most people applying with a low GPA have significantly more hours of PCE than you do. Hours are counted by how many you have at the time of application, not up until matriculation so your work as a rehab aide would not be counted. In addition, I'm assuming you are around 21 or so and PA schools have a reputation for being tough on people coming straight from undergrad. I think you have too many things against you at this point but if you tried to raise your science GPA and get more hours in, you would have a much better shot next cycle.

[MyNameWasUsed]

I wouldn't apply if I were you. I was in your position 2 years ago and I applied which was a mistake. I had low HCE and no GRE so my options were extremely limited as would yours be. As woodlingj has said, your HCE only counts at the time you submit your application. Unless youre in some kind of hurry and you are willing to go to literally any school that accepts you then I wouldn't do it. If you take the gap year to strengthen your application, you could probably get into a school of your top choice. 

 

I received an acceptance to a school I didn't really wanted to go to my first cycle and decided to take a gap year to strengthen my application. Now I'm a first year at an excellent program and my #1 choice. I really recommend a gap year! 

[Aware]

If I were you, I would wait until at least next year, if not another year after that. You'll have to look at the exact schools you want to apply to but many schools have a 3.0 cutoff for GPA and your science GPA is at exactly that. Keep in mind that this is merely the cutoff and while it isn't impossible to get in with that GPA, most people applying with a low GPA have significantly more hours of PCE than you do. Hours are counted by how many you have at the time of application, not up until matriculation so your work as a rehab aide would not be counted. In addition, I'm assuming you are around 21 or so and PA schools have a reputation for being tough on people coming straight from undergrad. I think you have too many things against you at this point but if you tried to raise your science GPA and get more hours in, you would have a much better shot next cycle.

 

Don't mean to hijack, but how sure are you that hours are counted at the time of application? I know that some schools that require "x" amount of hours require it by the time of your application, but I've also read from other school sites that you just need those "x" hours by the time of matriculation.

 

So hypothetical situation here, let's say OP decides to apply to Lincoln Memorial's PA program (since it's in TN). The program requires 150 hours by the time of matriculation as stated on its site. If OP were to apply right now and mention that he plans to work part time during the school year (let's just say 16 hours a week for simplicity), he would have about 800 hours by the time of matriculation. Now would schools view his application as only having 200 hours or as an application with 800 hours?

[PACrankset]

I would wait a year. See if you can bump your science GPA a little bit and work in healthcare. Get some shadowing hours as well. Although many programs don't require a lot of HCE, many will view your app more favorably if you have more than the requirement. 2000 hours is normally a good goal to have. Your cGPA and GRE are fine.

[MyNameWasUsed]

Don't mean to hijack, but how sure are you that hours are counted at the time of application? I know that some schools that require "x" amount of hours require it by the time of your application, but I've also read from other school sites that you just need those "x" hours by the time of matriculation.

 

So hypothetical situation here, let's say OP decides to apply to Lincoln Memorial's PA program (since it's in TN). The program requires 150 hours by the time of matriculation as stated on its site. If OP were to apply right now and mention that he plans to work part time during the school year (let's just say 16 hours a week for simplicity), he would have about 800 hours by the time of matriculation. Now would schools view his application as only having 200 hours or as an application with 800 hours?

 

Depends on the school. Some schools specify that they want a certain amount of hours by application deadline vs by matriculation. Best way to find out if to call the school if it doesn't say on their website. Some allow you to project hours on the CASPA application in the comment section.  

[aljo22]

well... I am a little discouraged reading all of these comments considering my stats are very similar to yours and I literally just submitted and paid about 10 minutes ago..